Justice in the workplace?

We’d like to thank The Chronicle for their attention to Linda Schlabach’s alleged abuse of her Hispanic employees. However, the article underemphasized the urgency of the situation. According to seven housekeepers who have worked for her, Schlabach has harassed, intimidated, and coerced those she supervised into committing criminal acts for more than seven years. They tell us how Schlabach has created a culture of fear founded on humiliation and punishment.

We know that Duke will seek justice and that the administration has already begun the formal process of inquiry. However, we feel that the institutional process is too slow. Housekeepers fear more for their job security and physical and emotional health as each day passes.

In November, Duke Student Action with Workers first filed a grievance on behalf of the workers with the University. After multiple requests for redress directed at the Office of Institutional Equity, Duke Human Resources and AFSCME Local 77, housekeepers still haven’t seen any tangible results. Duke should call for an immediate hearing to determine the truth of these allegations, some of which are criminal. If they prove to be true, Duke must remove Schlabach immediately from her position of leadership.

What’s at stake here is the well being of our community—students, faculty and staff. We demand a campus where leaders lead ethically. We demand a university where workers aren’t afraid to work. We demand justice.

Sincerely,

Kinnari Bhojani, Trinity ’12, Haley Millner, Trinity ’14 and Tong Xiang, Trinity ’13
co-founders, Duke Student Action with Workers

Shaoli Chaudhuri, Trinity ’12 and Laura Mistretta, Trinity ’14
co-presidents, Duke Students for Humane Borders

Lizzeth Alarcon, Trinity ’12
co-president, Gente Aprendiendo para Nuevas Oportunidades (G.A.N.O.)